CONNECTING PEOPLE

Welcome - This blog was created to discuss the common questions and topics concerning the start-up and ongoing operations ofA Brush with Kindness and Age in Place

Friday, March 18, 2011

What's In A Name...

Affiliates have taken two primary names for their home restoration programs. Some affiliates use the name A Brush with Kindness. Other affiliates use the name Habitat Repair Program. A few affiliates are also looking to add additional programs including weatherization, critical home repair and accessibilty adaptations.

There are also ABWK programs that describe themselves as a repair program, home improvement program or home restoration program. Some affiliates see their restoration program as part of a larger group of services like neighborhood revitalization or a continuum of housing solutions.

We are getting away from using repair services as a primary description because we would get inundated with small repair projects (less than a half day with a few volunteers). We do many small and large repairs in the context of larger projects where we can use volunteer groups of 10-15 for at least 2-5 days. We also use our regular crews for 1-2 day carpentry projects. Larger projects maximize our resources and gives our efforts a visual impact and helps homeowners in a significant manner.

Twin Cities Habitat uses the name A Brush with Kindness for all our services to homeowners. We also describe what we do as home restoration services which gives us flexibility in describing what we do in partnership with families. The name A Brush with Kindness is loved by the public because it describes the attitude and heart we bring as an organization to serve struggling homeowners. However, no matter what you call your program or how you describe its services, it is important to understand the families you are serving and the messages you want to send the audiences you are trying to reach.abwk habitat for humanity

"You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."- Ralph Waldo Emerson

ABWK in the Twin Cities, MN

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Messages That Matter

It is important to find messages that comunicate the essence of your new program. The public will pick up on those messages that connect with their values. We have used "Ever have a brush with kindness?" and "Connecting people... Restoring homes" as well as key quotes and scripture that resonate with our constituents. Check out the slide show below to see quotes that have inspired our messaging.

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About Me

I founded A Brush with Kindness 16 years ago. With tremendous support from the Valspar corporation, we created a program that helped preserve homeownership throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area so that families could continue to live in a safe, healthy home. I have helped to start over 100 programs throughout the US and in several countries as a consultant with HFHI. I currently direct the ABWK program at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Locally, A Brush with Kindness serves about 130 families each year. Feel free to contact me for more information at plund@abwk.net.